Busy Work Ideas for TTOCs to try

In the Reality 101 workshop I do for TTOCs we talk about what is in our 'Bag of Tricks' and how we stand out and connect with students in a variety of classes.

I always enjoy hearing some strategies new teachers and TTOCs use. I remember, to this day, a TTOC (sub) I had as a child who drew a parrot on the board. She told us if we worked hard that day she would teach us how to draw the parrot.... and she did! She taught us in a simple, step-by-step way that I still remember and doodle! So, of course, it is something I enjoy doing and when I return to a school, kids REMEMBER me teaching them to draw this parrot!

Another thing I like to pull out from time to time is sign language. As a kid, a boy in my class had a sister who was deaf and I learned some basic signs and the alphabet. My nephew is partially deaf and learns sign language with my sister, so I like to practice with them also. Sometimes I will teach students the letter their name starts with, or colours, or something basic they can use. 

Something else I have seen done by a TTOC friend of mine (though I don't have the skills to make it happen) is teaching the kid origami... love it!


Here are some more Busy Work Ideas:

Classroom Contest

Teach First Aid

Teach About Animals

Teach Foreign Phrases

Explore Encyclopedias

"What if" Talk / Essays

Read a Story

Draw Pictures

Make Improvised Music

Write / Read Limericks

Write Story

View Optical Illusions

Perform Magic

Crossword Puzzles

Word Search Puzzle(s)

Play Bingo

Jigsaw Puzzles

Play Hangman

Paper Airplanes (Contest)

Sing a Song

Play 20 Questions

Teach Juggling

Draw On Chalkboard

(From Substitute Teaching Tricks of the Trade)